Wood fencing question

Curtis B · #1 04/01/10, 10:05 AM

I know that I probably am an oddball, but I just love the look of the three rail wood fencing. I should probably just do pipe, but I am drawn to the wood fence. All I can seem to find for fence type wood is either cedar, or PT. Cedar is of course high dollar, and I worry about the animals chewing on the PT. I am not ready to put it up yet, but are there any other options? I want to use it for interior corrals/pens, and I don't really want to paint it.

RosewoodfarmVA · #2 04/01/10, 10:32 AM

In this part of the country (the east coast) White Oak is often used as fence boards. Cedar posts in the ground, with the oak boards. The posts are 8 ft apart and the boards are 16 long so that they span two sections. I know of several old board fences that are still standing 30+ years old. There is a cattle pen here on our farm made with 1 and a quarter oak boards that is 50 years old +-. Those boards are hard as a rock. The biggest thing to watch out for in either pt pine or cedar is knots. Cedar tends to grow knotty and those knots produce weak places in the boards. PT pine is sold full of knots unless you pick through the boards, plus the pine will age to a yucky green while the cedar and oak will mellow to a gray. Oak is twice as strong as pine and lacks the troublesome knots. Ask around HT and there may be a sawmiller near you that can provide white oak lumber.

Curtis B · #3 04/01/10, 11:12 AM

I remember hearing about white oat being used alot in barns. White oak is very expensive isn't it?

Lucky Llama · #4 04/02/10, 03:32 PM

I just got through putting up a 4 board fence. I used PT deck boards and 6x6 post, then stained it all white with fence stain from HD. Am very pleased with the end product.

#5 04/02/10, 04:08 PM

About 4 years ago I sold 5 logging truck loads of white oak & it was bringing a premium price at that time . The reason I sold so few loads was because the trees I sold needed harvested . At a certain point in a trees life the tree starts going downhill . I have many more nice trees but am in no hurry to sell & I have also heard the price is down now .